Flexible connection for motor-vehicle panels



Sept. 17, 1929. .A. F MASURY FLEXIBLE CONNECTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLE PANELS Filed Sept. 1, 1928 Patented Sept. 17, 1929 ems "STATES-- PATENT "OFFICE ALFRED F. MASURY, OF NEW YORK N. Y., ASSIGNOR 'I'O INTERNATIONAL MOTOR COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, Y.,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FL XIBLE CONNECTION Eon MOIOR-YEHICLE PANELS Application filed September l, 1928. Serial racemes.

This invention relates to improved con-- nections between adjacent panels forming the bod of a motor vehicle, such panels sec-. tionalizlng the-body and permitting weaving 5 thereof during operation. It is" desirable that a degree of relative movement be permitted between the panels without impairing the strength .of the connection therebetween, such connections afiording a means-for eliminating squeaks and body drumming.

' Body constructions designed heretofore have permitted the desired degree of relative movement between adjacent panels but the .cost of construction thereof has been.

prohibitive b reason of the fact that the connections ave been hand fitted, A0

' cordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connection possessing the desirable ualities noted above in addition to the a ility of being manufactured cheaply, preferably by simple stamping operations. The connection described herein possesses this virtue in addition to the quality of securely connecting the panels although 2 accommodating, yieldingly, a degree of move ment therebetween.

The invention is more specifically characterized by turned back extensions on the ad jacent edges of the panels, these extensions being received in a strip of non-metallic tion of the arrows, showing one form of the" present inventidn. Figure 2 is a plan view of the connection shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the above drawings, a designates a panel suitable for forming a portion of a vehicle body and formed with a flanged extension a forming an acute angle with the yielding moulding.- Bolts pass between, but

ing, securing means passin panel. The adjacent panel 6 is formed with a similar extension I) and a strip of nonmetallic yielding moulding 0, such as rubber, is a formed with a generally M-shaped cross section to'engage the flanges formed on the adjacent panels. The moulding is provided w1th a central thicknened portion 0' which lies between the flanges a and b to'space them apart, and the legs of the M are formed 1 with inwardly extending portions 0 to engage .the acute angles between the flanges a and b and the respective panels a and b.

A U-shaped strip of metal at encloses the moulding, and bolts 6, extending through the thickened portion a of the moulding,- engage a bead on the opposite side of the panel s. It Will be apparent that the compresslon set up in the rubber moulding a may be varied by means of the bolts e. .The panel sections are spaced apart yieldingly and relative movement therebetween is accommodated by means of the connection described above. Due to the fact that the pannels are connected through the yielding connection described, all squeaks and drumming of the body is eliminated. Although the'invention has been described in connection with th specific construction shown in the accompanying drawings, itis not to be limited, save as defined in the a p-pended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A connection" of the character described comprising a panel, an adjacent panel to be connected thereto, flanged extensions on the panels, said extensions forming acute angles with respect to the panels, an M-shaped nonmetallic yielding moulding, a portionof the moulding lying between theextensions, other portions of the moulding lying in the acute angles between the extensions and the panels,

a U-shaped cover strip enclosing the moulcL through .the

moulding between the extensidns, means secured to the securing means for engaging the panels, whereby the elements are secured together.

2. A connection of the character described panels said extensions forming acute angles til with respect to the panels, non-metallic yielding moulding, a portion of the moulding lying between the extensions, other portions of the moulding lying in the acute angles between the extensions and the panels, a. cover strip enclosing the moulding, a bead overlying the adjacent edges of the panels, and a bolt passing through the moulding and connecting the head to the cover strip.

This specification signed this 27 day of i ugust, A. D. 1928.

ALFRED F. MASURY. 

